SIDNEY — The Girl Scouts have a special event going on in the Scouting building through Tuesday. Two knitting machines are located there for fair-goers to help knit blankets for area organizations.
“I’m always looking for something to bring attention to the Scouting building,” said Carol Hipple, Girl Scouts, who brought in the machines.
One of them, she said is a Nifty Knitter by Walmart. The other is a Ultimate Sweater Machine, which has never been used, she said.
“My dad got it at an auction for $3,” said Hipple. On eBay, one would cost $100.”
Hipple, who makes lap blankets for wheelchairs, said she has tons of yarn and decided to set up the knitting machines at the building. Completed blankets will be donated to Holy Angels’ Wrapped in God’s Love project and Blanketeers, which is located in New Bremen and serves residents in Auglaize, Mercer, Darke and Shelby counties. The Blankeers donated blankets to the Backpack food programs in New Bremen, St. Marys and Celina. They also do angel trees where each child receives a blanket.
Hipple said it takes about an hour to knit a lap blanket. Once it’s done, she crochets around the outside of the blanket.
“That takes longer than the knitting process,” she said. It takes 150 rows to make it the appropriate length.
The machines will be available for people to knit on Monday from 2 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“We’re hoping some of the senior citizens on Tuesday will come through and help knit a blanket,” said Hipple. “We’ll also have free water for the seniors, while supplies last.”
Hipple said during World War I volunteers were sought by the American Red Cross to knit sweaters, helmets and socks.
“The person was given the knitting machine and yarn,” she said. “If they made so many pair of socks, then they got to keep the machine.”
In addition to the knitting machines, the Girl Scouts will also be hosting craft activities each day at the fair. Most of these activities are suitable for kindergarten age (with help) and up. Some activities have limited supplies.
Each day, participants will make paper plate dream-catchers. The craft for Monday is string art. On Tuesday, they will build a book.
Wednesday will be another day of string art crafts. Thursday, crafters will make wooden sailboats. The craft for Friday is foil rubbings. Saturday’s craft is clear stones.
